George Looby
Fisheries Division Ministry of
Agriculture
Nevis Street St John
Antigua
Tel: 268 462 1372
email:
[email protected] [email protected]
NATIONAL SYNTHESIS ON LARGE PELAGIC FISHERIES
In Antigua and Barbuda, mainly the sport-fishing vessels target the large pelagics. There are 35 vessels registered in the LRS database at the Fisheries Division that states trolling for large pelagics as their Primary fishing method. These vessels range in size from 6.0 meters to 17.5 meters. There is no special type or configuration of vessels engaged in trolling in Antigua and Barbuda but following is a list of the main types and configurations.
a. Decked vessels: with inboard or outboard motor(s), and use either gasoline or diesel fuel. These vessels are made from various materials- Fibreglass, wood, aluminium, steel, and Plywood covered with fibreglass. Engine horsepower ranges from 75 to 1100.
b. Undecked vessels: open with steering console, or walk-around cabin. These vessels are powered by inboard or outboard motor(s), and uses either diesel or gasoline fuel. The hull material for this type of vessels are fibreglass, wood, plywood covered with epoxy or fibreglass, and aluminium. Engine HP ranges from 40 to 500.
c. The average crew size for this type of fishing is 2 on each fishing vessel for regular weekend trips and pre paid deep sea fishing charters and 5 during fishing tournaments, which averages 3.5 per vessel per year. This total makes a total crew size of 123.
Types of fishing
Trolling, with rods and reels, is the only type of fishing done in Antigua and Barbuda, to target large pelagics. In the past 15 years there were at least 5 vessels engaged in surface longline fishing targeting swordfish and large tunas, but none of them are in operation at the present moment (October 2001).
Some traditional trap fishing vessels troll to and from the fishing areas using hand lines made from small rope, wire, or thick monofilament lines. The operational speed of these vessels is within trolling speed, so some captains use the opportunity to catch a meal or subsidise the fuel cost. The main difference is, these vessels would not leave port to do only trolling for an entire fishing trip, as done by the sport fishing vessels with rods and reels.
Species targeted
In major tournaments, Blue marlins are targeted, mainly for points, but on regular fishing trips, there is no discrimination in targeted species. The pelagic species landed in Antigua and Barbuda from trolling trips are: Yellow fin tuna, Big eye tuna, skip-jack, little tunny, black fin tuna, albacore, and other small tunas, Dolphin fish, Wahoo, King mackerel, Spanish mackerel, Cero mackerel, Atlantic Sailfish, White Marlin, Blue marlin, Sword fish, Pelagic sharks, Barracuda.
Gear used
Rods and Reels, with monofilament or monel lines are commonly used. The types of bait used include artificial lures, spoon baits, flying fish, and Ballyhoo.
Fishing area
The fishing area consists of the waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Antigua and Barbuda.
Activity schedule
The majority of trips take place on the weekends, but fishing is also done during local sport fishing tournaments, Public holidays, and Pre-paid Deep-sea fishing charters. There is also the odd times, such as: during spawning aggregation of King mackerel, and periods of exceptional dolphin activity, that these vessels go fishing during the week as well.
PRODUCTION/LANDINGS COVERAGE
Sampling plan
A random sampling plan is used to collect data from the landing sites on a routine basis and a census is done during the weighing period at fishing tournaments. During these weighing periods the Fisheries Division measures each fish, but the organizers of the fishing tournament weighs and records each fish.
Data collected
Length, weight, sexual maturity, and other biological data are collected.
Fishing effort data collection
The data collected is usually ‘catch and effort’. No data is collected for monthly catches per species, type of boats, gears, for pelagic fish in Antigua and Barbuda. The fish is usually sold directly to housewives, restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets by the fishers, so records of landings are not readily available.
Social and economic issues
The selling prices for pelagic species are not fixed or controlled; rather prices are agreed to between seller and buyer. Prices can vary from EC$ 5.00 to EC$ 11.00 per pound. This depends on the marketed condition of the fish. Some fish is sold whole, while some is sold filleted.
Some fish processing establishments, supermarkets, and hotels import large pelagic fish species from within CARICOM, when none is available locally. There are no exports of pelagic fish species from Antigua and Barbuda.
Although there is a draft Fisheries Management Plan for Antigua and Barbuda, there are no specific management rules or strategies in force for the large pelagic species.
SYNTHESIS OF MOORED FAD FISHING
Moored FAD Fishing activities
The Fisheries Division is not aware of any fishing techniques being used in FAD fishing. There is also no information on yields, targeted species, seasonality, number or size. There are about 4 sport fishers who are experimenting with FAD fishing at the moment, but they are secretive with locations and any other information relating to their operations.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES
FAD Fishing Management
There are no FAD fishing management regulations or strategies in force in Antigua and Barbuda.
Economic Issues
There is no information to suggest that the price of fish caught around FAD is different from fish caught in open waters. At this moment, the same conditions apply to fish caught around fads as fish caught in the open waters.
Ecomonic Impact of FAD Fishing on the Fishery
Not enough data is available to do a comparative analysis of the impact that FAD has on the fisheries in Antigua and Barbuda.
Development Dynamics
Although there is no official policy on FAD development in Antigua and Barbuda, the issue has been under consideration in the Fisheries Division. The strategy under consideration is likely to involve the following promotional activities on the part of the division:
a. Develop the moored FAD fishery to a level that fishers could fish for large pelagic species with lesser expense and increased landings; and
b. Promote awareness of the benefits of co-management, and conservation of the pelagic fish stocks, by the early introduction of fishers to practices such as minimum size limits, close seasons and quota system, for all species targeted around FAD.
The developmental chronology envisioned by the Fisheries Division is:
a. Promoting awareness, by organizing meetings that address the relevant topics on FAD.
b. Consultations with present FAD operators and prospective operators to discuss FAD management issues
c. Draft legislation to regulate, monitor, and enforce the use and management of FAD in Antigua and Barbuda.
d. Put feedback system in place in the form of logbooks for fishers, which over time could provide enough information to ensure sound management decisions.
